SP5103 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > But there IS a local movement by some
> individuals
> > who are going to try and pay the note off to
> the
> > note holder in an effort to keep the 19 local.
> > We'll see what happens.
>
> To what end? The YW was barely alive when Kyle was
> trying to sell it, before the mill closed and CORP
> ended the Siskiyou trains. Now Court has scrapped
> much of the track that supported the passenger
> operations and the cars. No telling what other
> liens and other legal issues exist. Even if you
> saved the 19, it needs heavy work, there aren't
> cars, tracks or a railroad to run it on. The
> general economy hasn't boomed, and McCloud isn't
> really an option either. I don't think the
> passenger operations at Yreka ever did more than
> break even. Their primary purpose appeared more to
> be economic development for the local community
> than trying to create a financially viable
> operation.
>
> My opinion .... but maybe it is time for #19 to
> find a new home that has enough potential
> ridership to support it financially, a reasonable
> business plan and the ability to make the required
> investment with a healthy dose of TLC.
>
> The local group might do better just bidding on it
> at the auction, unless someone shows up with a
> pocketful of money and are willing to put it where
> there mouth is.

There is a much bigger effort in Yreka than you let on. There are some powerful, local people with plenty of potential capital that have drawn a lot of interest on this issue in the past month or so.

There is a lot of potential for the Yreka Western. It needs a good, competent management team and a business plan. Something this railroad has not had since it was taken over in 1999. CORP is planning on re-opening the Siskiyou Line in late 2014/2015 thanks to their recent takeover by Genesee & Wyoming. The depot is literally right off the Central Yreka I-5 exit. There are talks with a couple different groups about acquiring passenger equipment if something should be able to start up again. And let's face it, the equipment we acquired from Sacramento in 2008 was crap. Those cars (especially the SP subs) would have needed extensive rebuilding and in my personal opinion were worth more in scrap anyway; which is probably why CSRM wanted to get rid of them in the first place. Do I condone Mr. Hammond's scrapping of the equipment and track that he did? Absolutely not. However, I think a couple pieces of that equipment had it coming for quite sometime.

Timber Products would ship at a reasonable rate over CORP, which they and other shippers are apparently in talks about with CORP right now about negotiating a contract. The other issues regarding other debts on the property are currently being processed as well. And yes, the passenger trains made profit when the train was properly advertised and was full. There is a certain passenger quota for the train to be in the black and it was regularly achieving that. No railroad just runs an excursion train just for the hell of it if there isn't even a potential for some sort of income off of it. The 19 doesn't need "heavy work", but she does need a tune up. There are a few things that need to be addressed, but nothing that would prevent the locomotive from operating in the near future. I spent the last 2 years of my work with the Yreka Western helping to begin some of this work and do regular maintenance.

The mainline is still intact also. Sure you would have to relay the house track to board at the depot but nothing that completely discourages any operations as you suggest. It would still be possible to operate from Yreka to Montague, although I'm sure at this point a bit of track rehab wouldn't hurt either...and a good weed trimming!

While I would absolutely love to see 19 stay in Yreka (where she has spent the majority of her working life) I understand that may not be a possibility. If worse did come to worse, I would hope she went to a credible operation that would treat her right.

Matt Starman
Redding, CA